Golf shoe sole design

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a critical design element for the sole ( 20 ) of a golf shoe that has been heretofore overlooked. This novel improvement is provided by precisely defining a previously unknown proper angle ( 26 ) of inclination at 4.5 degrees for the height of the heel area ( 24 ) of the sole above the ball of the foot area ( 22 ) of the sole. This better balanced “foot print” permits better traction during the golf swing by means of more of the sole being in contact with the ground. More importantly, the present invention defines an improved “platform” angle of inclination for playing golf that provides proper posture, proper balance, optimum body position versus the ball position, enhanced weight distribution for better traction, and better short game posture.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to golf shoe designs, specifically shoe sole designs for improved performance and usefulness as related to executing the golf swing.

[0003] 2. Background and Description of Prior Art

[0004] The evolution of technology for golf shoes has been slow and relatively low tech by nature. The state of the art for golf shoe design for many years was basically that of utilizing good performing leather street shoe designs and adding metal spikes for enhanced traction. Man-made materials began to work their way into this marketplace during the decades of the 60's and 70's, but these designs remained otherwise basically the same. The overriding considerations for these shoe developments were comfort and utility for walking and that the steel spikes of these shoe designs afforded the player excellent traction for virtually any type of golf swing.

[0005] Interest in legitimately advancing design technologies for golf shoes began to grow during the 80's as the first lighter weight shoes began to appear and waterproofing became an important new premium design feature. The timing of these new design features roughly coincided with the advent of new design technologies in shoes for other sports and the emergence of several new major manufacturers in the sports shoe industry. Some of these same new companies entered the golf shoe marketplace at the end of the 80's and beginning of the 90's. They brought with them new attitudes and new thinking with regard to product development for golf shoes.

[0006] At about the middle of the decade of the 90's, “spike-less” golf shoes (without metal spikes) that were lighter weight, waterproof, and very comfortable began to appear in large numbers. They made quite acceptable golf shoes for the casual golfer that was already comfortable with athletic shoes. Further, they performed quite satisfactorily for serious golfers with foot problems or for those who were dedicated walking players.

[0007] It was a secondary consideration in product development at that time that these same “spike-less” shoes would inflict less “spike mark” damage to putting greens, but this soon became a matter of growing consideration within the golf community. The difference in condition of putting greens where “spike-less” shoes were worn versus conventional steel spike shoes was very noticeable. Moreover, “spike-less” shoes had the potential to impact scoring and play (and reduce golf course maintenance) as the surfaces of the greens remained relatively smooth through continued play, and they therefore contributed to an improved greens putting surface for play.

[0008] A precipitous “Spike-less Golf Shoe Revolution” of sorts followed in the middle 90's, and traditional metal spike shoes were banned from virtually all golf courses throughout the country. Two basic types of golf shoes then began to appear: (1) traditional golf shoe designs with lighter weight materials that were modified to accept plastic or rubber spikes, and (2) athletic shoe adaptations modified for golf shoe usage were developed. Neither was completely satisfactory. The traditional golf shoe designs were still street shoes that were comfortable for walking (but now they had molded soft spikes), and the athletic type shoes were poorly adapted for the design necessities of golf beyond walking.

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

[0009] This field of invention is crowded with prior art as are so many areas related to golf. Many of the prior art references found in a search of related improvements deal with shoe design in general and the application of shoe manufacturing processes and materials from the shoe industry to applications for golf shoes in particular.

[0010] Prior art of interest to the present invention was found that specifically addresses golf shoe sole design. Most of this prior art deals with golf shoe construction; however, one invention of particular interest tends to look at the effects to transverse balance (left to right) as the golf swing motions are executed. Noone (U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,861—Issued Sep. 19, 1989) teaches that this is a potential problem for the golfer in making consistent impact, and he describes a shoe sole design that attempts to manage this transverse motion. This type of shoe design was deemed to be illegal by the ruling bodies of golf in the early 90's, so it therefore did not enjoy much commercial success. It was nevertheless absolutely functional. Most of this prior art, however, has been limited to weight distribution schemes for the left foot versus right foot or instep versus outer portion of the foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Uniquely, the present invention provides a critical design element for the design of a golf shoe sole that heretofore has been overlooked. This design is provided by precisely defining a previously unknown proper angle of inclination for the height of the heel portion of the golf shoe sole above the ball of the foot portion of the sole. This better balanced “foot print” permits better traction during the golf swing because more of the shoe sole is in proper contact with the ground. This is of particular benefit to the newer generation of “spike-less” golf shoes. More importantly, however, the present invention better defines a more precise “platform” for executing the golf swing motions that provides proper posture, proper balance, optimum body position versus the ball position, enhanced weight distribution for better traction, and better posture for the short game play - putting and chipping.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0012] The functions of a golf shoe are basically two-fold: (1) to provide for walking, and (2) to provide a shoe platform for properly executing the golf swing. Angles of heel inclination are not very critical for the purposes of walking as is evidenced by the contrasting extremes of women's high heel shoes versus the “earth” shoes that were popularized during the 1970's with a heel lower than the balance of the sole. The performance differences between them and a properly optimized sole design for walking are likely little more than comfort and fatigue. Both will satisfy the walking criterion for golf, but neither is a proper platform for executing the golf swing. Finding a proper angle of heel inclination for optimum execution of the golf swing is a different matter.

[0013] Traditional designs for golf shoes generally provide a heel elevation angle in the range of 5 to 6.5 degrees. This angle is too steep and tends to place too much weight on the balls of the feet, promoting an old-fashioned flatter “swing plane” (too horizontal) and a more attacking swing motion with excessive lower body (hips and legs) transverse motion. A modified ball position is induced that is too far away from the player. This promotes problems with directional inconsistency and less than optimum power generation.

[0014] The newer generation athletic shoe designs adapted for golf generally tend to have heel elevation angles of 3 to 4 degrees. This design places too much of the player's weight distribution on the heels. This results in a very upright “swing plane” (too vertical) and a ball position that is too close to the player. This excessively vertical swing plane limits lower body motion and limits power generation by the player.

[0015] It is the object of the present invention to create the proper angle of heel elevation from which to optimally execute the golf swing with maximum power, balance, control, efficiency, and consistency. It is further the object of this invention to provide an equally optimum “platform” for short game play-putting and chipping. Both of these objectives are accomplished by the present invention in a manner that is much better suited for the player utilizing the new generation spike-less golf shoes and employing the modem (more upright) golf swing.

[0016] Providing a proper angle of heel inclination will afford the player golfer many advantages versus traditional golf shoe designs (with higher heels). Accordingly, a listing of many of the advantages follows:

[0017] Ball position is changed to become nearly 2 inches closer to the body;

[0018] More erect posture is created;

[0019] Weight is more on the heels and less on the toes for better balance;

[0020] A more upright swing plane (about 2 degrees more) is created;

[0021] Increased power from a stronger centrifugal release is obtained because the hands are swinging closer to the body permitting faster rotation of the hips;

[0022] Consistency is improved from better balance throughout the entire swing motion;

[0023] The swing is aligned with the target line for a longer period of time for better directional consistency;

[0024] More angular difference between “hip turn” and “shoulder turn” are created for more power;

[0025] Fewer “pushed right” shots will occur;

[0026] Improved set-up consistency and balance are promoted for better short game performance;

[0027] A more “pendulum-like” putting motion is encouraged;

[0028] Improved impact vectors for the club and ball contact (a steeper descending blow) are provided resulting in more ball spin and better play from the rough; and

[0029] Better traction is provided for the new generation spike-less design shoes as weight is distributed more evenly on the entire sole of the shoe.

[0030] Conversely, a golf shoe sole with less than optimum heel inclination (as in the adaptation of athletic type shoe designs) will tend to create the following undesirable conditions:

[0031] Ball position becomes too close to the body;

[0032] Weight is too much on the heels and not enough on the toes;

[0033] The swing plane becomes too upright;

[0034] Power is diminished as lower body usage is too restricted;

[0035] Impact consistency and set-up consistency are compromised as balance is lost;

[0036] “Pulled left” shots are induced;

[0037] Address positions and swing path for short game shots become incorrect;

[0038] Correct impact vectors are lost to much steeper impact “pulled left” shots; and

[0039] Traction is diminished as weight is transferred too much to the heels.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0040]FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of a shoe sole with the center of the heel area and the center of the ball of the foot areas identified and an angle of inclination for the heel elevation identified.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0041]20 Golf shoe sole side cross sectional view

[0042]22 Top of sole thickness at the center of the ball of the foot

[0043]24 Top of sole thickness at the center of the heel of the foot

[0044]26 Angle of heel inclination above the ball of the foot

[0045] H Horizontal line passing through ball of the foot area parallel to the sole bottom

[0046] I Inclined line passing through ball of the foot area and center of heel area

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0047]FIG. 1 illustrates a common embodiment of a shoe sole 20 with the center of the heel area 24 inclined above the lower center of the ball of the foot area 22 as is typical in most conventional shoes. Line H is passed through area 22 at the center of the ball of the foot to form a horizontal reference line that is parallel to the bottom of the shoe sole and the ground surface. A second line I is formed passing through the center of the ball of the foot area 22 and the center of the heel area 24. These two lines H and line I intersect to construct a heel inclination angle 26 for the relative measurement of the heel inclination angle 26.

[0048] Optimum formation of this angle 26 will be provided with a 4.5 degree angle by design of the golf shoe sole dimensions for the purposes of playing golf most advantageously. A heel design that is too tall will generate an angle 26 that is excessively great, and too much weight will be shifted to the toes of the player. Conversely, a heel design that is too low will result in a lesser angle 26 that creates problems of an opposite sort. Both constructions are problematic as described above.

[0049] No affirmative action is required by the player to operate the invention. When correct, this angle 26 (at 4.5 degrees) operates to induce a proper weight distribution and balance for a golfer during the execution of the golf swing. Further, this angle 26 should be maintained consistently by design for golfers of all sizes, despite changes in their shoe sizes.

Summary, Ramifications, and Scope

[0050] Accordingly, the reader will see that the improvement to golf shoe sole design afforded by the present invention will be of benefit to any golf player, providing all of the following advantages:

[0051] It provides the golfer with improved balance and posture for the full swing;

[0052] It provides the golfer with better address positions for executing short game play;

[0053] It affords the golfer better traction for the golf swing;

[0054] It promotes improved golf swing bio-mechanics and kinesiological relationships;

[0055] It does not add to the cost of manufacturing golf shoes at all;

[0056] Although the description above contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations for a preferred embodiment of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

I claim:
 1. a golf shoe sole design for improved balance, posture, stability, and traction providing the center of the heel of said sole design is inclined above the ball of the foot portion of said shoe sole by an angle of 4.5 degrees, comprising; (a) a shoe sole foot bed of undetermined total thickness and materials; (b) a bottom surface for contact with the ground during the golf swing and walking that provides acceptable means for traction;
 2. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein the sole is made of natural materials;
 3. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein the sole is made from man-made materials;
 4. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein the sole contains materials in the foot bed that will conform to the shape of the wearer;
 5. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein the sole contains an air bladder;
 6. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein the sole contains spring-like features;
 7. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein the angle of inclination is between 4.25 degrees and 4.75 degrees;
 8. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein said sole has unequal thickness dimensions for the instep side of the sole versus the outer side of the sole;
 9. the golf shoe sole in claim 1 wherein said angle of inclination is accomplished by means of a combination of outer sole and inner sole constructions. 